SEARCH BEGINS FOR THE UKS LEADING FINANCE DIRECTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

SEARCH BEGINS FOR THE UKS LEADING FINANCE DIRECTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

Calls for entries to the FDs Excellence Awards 2011

The search to identify Britains leading finance directors and service providers has begun with the launch of the FDs Excellence Awards 2011.

Held in association with the ICAEW and supported by the CBI and Real Business, the awards recognise the best-performing FDs from public and privately-owned companies in the UK, as well as the service providers that support Britain's finance community.

Last years winners included some of the most respected leaders in Britains boardrooms, including Sushovan Hussain of Autonomy, the UKs largest listed software developer (Finance Director of the year and FDs FD of the Year) David MacFarlane of Dana Petroleum (FTSE 250 FD of the Year) and Stephen Morana of Betfair (Private Company FD of the Year).

The ICAEW Inspiring Confidence in the Community Award was presented to Jeremy Cox of Coventry Building Society, while the ICAEW Inspiring Confidence in Business Award went to Suzanne Baxter of MITIE Group.

More than 1,000 votes were also cast in the FDs' Satisfaction Survey to determine the UK's best service providers, with Grant Thornton winning Auditor of the Year (Large Six) and Lloyds TSB winning Bank of the Year.

The categories for this years awards are:

FTSE 100 FD of the Year (supported by Lombard Services)
FTSE 250 FD of the Year (supported by Lombard Services)
Small Quoted FD of the Year (supported by Lombard Services)

Young FD of the Year
Private Company FD of the Year
ICAEW Business in Society Award
ICAEW Sustainable Business Award
FD of the Future Award (supported by Ernst & Young)

The Excellence Awards, based on the FDs Satisfaction Survey (supported by ICAEW):
- Auditor of the Year (Top Tier)
- Auditor of the Year (Mid Tier)
- Business Bank of the Year
- Financial software supplier to larger companies
- Financial software supplier to smaller companies
- Recruitment agency of the year

Michael Izza, CEO of the ICAEW, said: Recognising the value of finance directors and service providers to business survival and success has never been more important. Companies are often at their most vulnerable in the years immediately following a recession as they rush to take advantages for growth. The role of the FD in providing challenge within the boardroom is critical to good decision making.

Thats why were delighted to be once again supporting the FDs Excellence Awards and, through our own categories particularly, to highlight those individuals who are helping put both sustainability and community at the core of their businesses.

Helen Alexander, President of the CBI, added: Last years awards highlighted some of the strongest financial talent in Britains public and private companies, many of whom have steered their organisations through persistently challenging economic conditions to deliver great success.

With economic uncertainty persisting, these individuals, and the FDs Excellence Awards, are a valuable benchmark of high-quality financial talent in the UK.

Nominations for the FTSE FD categories are made based on financial research and independently judged by an academy of experts. Nominations for the Excellence Awards are based on an annual Satisfaction Survey of FDs, which is now open and closes on 1 March 2011.

Nomination for all other awards is also open, with the entry deadline 7 February 2011. Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by a panel of judges on 10 March 2011.

The awards will take place on May 10 2011 at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.